UK's first 3-parent IVF births: 8 healthy babies born; breakthrough in genetic medicine
Doctors in the UK have confirmed the birth of eight healthy babies conceived using DNA from three individuals through an IVF technique designed to prevent inherited mitochondrial disorders.
The procedure, known as mitochondrial donation treatment (MDT), combines the DNA of the biological mother and father with healthy mitochondrial DNA from a female donor. It is designed to replace faulty mitochondria—the energy-producing structures in cells—with healthy ones from a donor, thereby stopping the transmission of potentially fatal genetic conditions.
According to Sky News, this advancement "takes medicine into uncharted territory."
The technique was developed to prevent inherited mitochondrial disorders, which affect around 1 in 5, 000 babies and can cause serious issues such as brain damage, muscle failure, blindness, or death.
All eight babies born through this technique in the UK are reported to be healthy. The human fertilisation and embryology authority (HFEA), which regulates fertility treatments in the UK, had previously approved the use of MDT on a case-by-case basis.
The Guardian quoted scientists saying, "This is not about creating designer babies. It's a way to prevent devastating illnesses." They also noted that long-term follow-up is still required to fully assess the safety and effectiveness of the method.
Meanwhile, NPR highlighted that the first baby born using this approach was in Mexico in 2016. The UK is the first country to officially legalise the technique under regulatory supervision.
While promising, experts remain cautious. 'There's still much to learn,' one researcher told NPR, adding that "monitoring these children over time is essential."
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